THE  KINGDOM  OF  THE  MESSIAH: 


A 


SERMON, 

PREACHED  BEFORE  THE 

FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  OF 
SALEM  AND  THE  VICINITY, 


ON  the 


FIRST  ANNIVERSARY, 


JAN.  6,  1813. 


By  SAMUEL  WORCESTER,  D.D. 


SALEM: 


TRIXTED  BY  JOSHUA  CUSHIKS. 


>;  t-  ! ■ 


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1. 


ak  'k 


A 


SERMON. 


Daniel  ii.  44. 

And  in  the  days  of  thefe  kings  Jhall  the  God  of  heaven  fet 
up  a kingdom  which  Jhall  never  be  dejlroyed : and  the 
kingdom  Jhall  not  be  left  to  other  people^  but  it  Jhall  break 
in  pieces  and  confume  all  thefe  kingdoms,  and  it  Jhall 
Jiand  forever. 

Jehovah,  in  prophetic fcrlpture,  prefents  himfelf  to 
men,  with  moft  impreflive  majefty.  “ He  declares  the 
end  from  the  beginning,  and  from  ancient  times  the 
things  that  are  not  yet  done.”  He  has  all  futurity 
open  to  his  view — all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  at  his 
difpofal — all  the  events  of  ages  under  his  control. 

Nebuchadnezzar,  the  renowned  king  of  Babylon, 
“ dreamed  dreams  wherewith  his  fpirit  was  troubled.’* 
The  wife  men  of  Babylon  were  required  both  to  tell 
him  what  his  dream  was,  and  to  fliew  him  the  in- 
terpretation ; and  becaufe  they  could  not,  “ there 
w’^ent  forth  a decree  that  the  wife  men  of  Babylon 
ftiould  be  flain.”  Daniel,  however,  alked  for  time ; 
and  to  him,  after  earneft  fupplication  to  God,  thefecret 
was  revealed.  He  then  obtained  an  audience  with  the 
king,  and  faid,  “ There  is  a God  in  heaven  that  reveal- 
eth  fecrets,  and  maketh  known  to  the  king  Nebuchad- 
nezzar what  lhall  be  in  the  latter  days.  Thy  dream, 
and  the  vilions  of  thy  head  upon  thy  bed,  are  thefe  : — 
Thou,  O king,  fa  weft,  and,  behold,  a great  image.  This 
great  image,  whofe  brightnefs  was  excellent,  ftood  be- 
fore thee,  and  the  form  thereof  was  terrible.  This, 


image’s  head  was  of  fine  gold,  his  breaft  and  his  arms 
of  filver,  his  belly  and  his  thighs  of  brafs,  his  legs  of 
iron,  his  feet  part  of  iron  and  part  of  clay.  Thou 
I'awefl;  till  that  a ftone  was  cut  out  without  hands, 
which  fmote  the  image  upon  his  feet  that  were  of  iron 
and  clay,  and  brake  them  to  pieces.  Then  was  the 
iron,  the  clay,  the  brafs,  the  filver,  and  the  gold,  bro- 
ken to  pieces  together,  and  became  like  the  chaff  of  the 
fummer  threfliing-floors  ; and  the  wind  carried  them 
away,  that  no  place  was  found  for  them  : and  the  ftone 
that  fmote  the  image,  became  a great  mountain,  and 
filled  the  whole  earth.” 

This  iinage,according  to  the  interpretation  of  Daniel, 
reprefented  four  fucceffive  empires.  The  head  of  gold 
denoted  the  Babylonian  empire,  then  exifting  in  its 
glory.  The  breaft  and  arms  of  filver  denoted  the  em- 
pire of  the  Medes  and  Perfians  ; the  belly  and  thighs 
of  brafs,  the  empire  of  the  Macedonians  and  Grecians  ; 
the  legs  of  iron,  the  empire  of  the  Romans;  and  the  feet 
and  toes,  part  of  iron  and  part  of  clay,  the  fame  Ro- 
man empire,  divided  into  feveral  kingdoms.  Thus 
far  the  interpretation  is  plain  and  incontrovertible. 

Nor  is  there,  indeed,  any  controverfy,  as  to  what 
was  denoted  by  the  “ ftone,  which  was  cut  out  without 
hands,  and  which  became  a great  mountain,  and  filled 
the  wliole  earth.”  The  interpretation  of  this  part  of 
tlie  dream  is  given  by  the  prophet  in  the  words  of  our 
text.  In  the  days  of  thefe  kings  JJjall  ihs  God  of  heaven 
fet  up  a kingdom,  which  foall  never  he  dejiroyed  ; and  the 
kingdom  Jhall  not  be  left  to  other  people,  but  it  fhall  break  in 
pieces  and  confume  all  thefe  kingdoms,  and  it  flmll  Jland  for- 
ever, This,  unqueftionably,  is  the  kingdom  of  the 
Messiah  ; called  in  the  New  Teftamcnt,  with  parti- 
cular reference  to  this  very  prophecy,  The  kingdom  of 
heaven,  and  the  kingdom  of  God. 

The  four  fuccellive  temporal  empires,  here  fymbo- 
lizcd  by  the  feveral  parts  of  the  great  image,  were  af- 


7 


tcrwards  {hewn  to  Daniel,  in  a vifion  recorded  in  the 
fevcnth  chapter,  under  the  fymbols  of  four  great  beojis. 
The  firft,  or  Babylonian  empire,  was  reprefcnted  by  a 
beaft  like  a lion^  -joith  eagles'  wings  ; the  ferond,  or  Me- 
do-Perfian  empire,  by  a beaft  like  a beai\  with  three  ribs 
in  his  mouth ; the  third,  or  Macedonio-Grccian  empire, 
by  a leopard  with  four  wings  of  a fowl ; and  the  fourth, 
or  Roman  empire,  by  a beaji,  dreadful,  and  terrible,  and 
flrong  exceedingly,  which  had  great  iron  teeth,  and  which 
devoured,  and  brake  in  pieces,  and Jlamped  the  rcfidue  with 
his  feet.  This  laft  beaft  had  alfo  ten  horns,  denoting 
the  fame  divifion  of  the  empire  into  fcvcral  kingdoms, 
which  before  was  fymbolized  by  the  ten  toes  of  the 
great  image.  Daniel  “ beheld  until  this  terrible  beaft 
was  {lain,  and  his  body  was  given  to  the  burning 
flame  and  in  this  connexion  he  fays,  “ I faw  in 
the  night  vifions,  and,  behold,  one  like  the  Son  of  man 
came  with  the  clouds  of  heaven,  and  came  to  the  An- 
cient of  days,  and  they  brought  him  near  before  him. 
And  there  was  given  him  dominion,  and  a kingdom, 
that  all  people,  nations  and  languages  fhould  ferve 
him  : his  dominion  is  an  everlafting  dominion,  which 
fhall  not  pafs  away,  and  his  kingdom  that  which  {hall 
not  be  deftroyed.'*  This  again  is  the  kingdom  of 
THE  Messiah  ; and  the  terms  of  the  defeription  are  ex- 
aclly  coincident  with  thofe  of  our  text. 

This  kingdom  is  to  be  the  fubject  of  our  prefent 
contemplation  ; and  only  in  reference  to  this  will  the 
temporal  empires  be  noticed.  It  was,  indeed,  for  the 
fake  of  opening  a profpeclive  view  of  this  kingdom, 
and  marking  its  rife  and  eftablifliment  in  the  world, 
that  the  temporal  empires  were  introduced  into  thefe 
prophetic  vifions.  For  with  the  Spirit  of  prophecy, 
the  rife  and  fall  of  earthly  kingdoms,  and  the  various 
changes  and  revolutions  of  the  wnrld,  are  of  no  ac- 
count, excepting  as  they  relate  to  that  great  work  of 
God,  which  by  means  of  them  he  is  carrying  forward, 


8 


for  the  glory  of  his  Majefly,  and  the  falvation  of  his 
redeemed. — In  contemplating  the  kingdom  of  the 
Messiah,  it  may  be  ufeful  to  confider  the  time  of  its 
rife  ; — its  deftined  extent; — the  means  of  its  advancement 
its  duration  ; — and  its  glory, 

1.  The  time  of  its  rife. — In  fome  fenfe,  the  Mefllah 
had  a kingdom  from  the  beginning  of  time : for  he 
“ was  fet  up  from  everlafting,  or  ever  the  earth  was ; — 
and  all  things  were  made  by  him  and  for  him.”  The 
church  of  his  redeemed  alfo  commenced  immediately 
after  the  fall  ; and  in  all  the  generations  of  old  he  had 
a people  to  ferve  him — a people  acknowledged  as  his, 
and  fubjed:  to  his  fpecial  adminiftration.  He  was  the 
“ Hope,”  and  the  “ Shield,”  of  the  patriarchs  of  the  firft 
ages  ; and  the  “Leader  and  Commander”  of  the  ancient 
Ifrael  of  God.  But  the  prophets  looked  forward  to  a 
time  when  he  fhould  be  inaugurated  in  form  j and,  as 
King  upon  the  holy  hill  of  Zion,  commence  a new  admi- 
niftration. This  was  to  follow  his  incarnation.  Ac- 
cordingly Ifaiah  prophetically  fung,  “Unto  us  n Child 
is  born,  unto  us  a Son  is  given,  and  the  government 
lliall  be  upon  his  flioulder  ; and  his  name  fhall  be  call- 
ed Wonderful,  Counfellor,  The  mighty  God,  The  ever- 
lafting  Father,  The  Prince  of  Peace.  Of  the  increafe 
of  his  government  and  peace  there  fliall  be  no  end  ; 
upon  the  throne  of  David,  and  upon  his  kingdom,  to 
order  it,  and  to  eftablifh  it  with  judgment  and  with 
juftice,  from  henceforth  even  forever.”  It  is  with  this 
reign  of  the  Messiah,  the  Son  of  David,  that  we  arc 
at  prefent  particularly  concerned. 

The  commencement  of  this  is  marked  by  thefe  words 
of  our  text  : In  the  days  of  these  kings  foall  the  God 
of  heaven  fet  up  a kingdom.  The  three  preceding  empires, 
the  Babylonian,  the  Perfian,  and  the  Grecian,  having 
fucceflively  pafted  away,  the  prophet  now  contemplates 
the  Homan  empire  in  its  whole  duration,  as  denoted  by 
the  legs  of  iron,  and  the  feet  and  toes,  part  of  iron  and 


9 


part  of  clay.  And  in  the  days  of  theft  kings^  he  fays,  i.  e* 
of  the  kings  belonging  to  this  laft  empire, the  God 
of  heaven fet  up  a kingdom.  Accordingly,  after  the  Ro- 
man empire  was  eftabliflied  on  the  ruins  of  the  Gre- 
cian, Jefus  Chrift  was  born,  in  the  reign  of  Auguftus 
Ccfar.  In  the  reign  of  Tiberius,  having  been  “ taken, 
and  by  wicked  hands  crucified  and  flain,”  he  rofe  from 
the  dead,  afcended  into  heaven,  and  was  feated  at  the 
right  hand  of  power.  It  was  then,  that  “ one  like  the  Son 
of  man  came  with  the  clouds  of  heaven,  and  came  to 
the  Ancient  of  days,  and  they  brought  him  near  before 
him,  and  there  was  given  him  dominion  and  glory 
and  a kingdom,  that  all  people,  nations  and  languages 
fhould  ferve  him.”  It  was  then,  that  the  reign  of  the 
Meffiah,  as  the  fon  of  David,  commenced,  and  what  is 
properly  called  the  kingdom  of  heaven  began  to  be 
fet  up. 

I fay,  began  to  be  fet  up  : for  it  deferves  to  be  particu- 
larly noted,  that  the  fetting  up  of  this  kingdom  is  re- 
presented as  a progreffive  work,  a work  of  time.  The 
kingdom  is  firft  fymbolizcd  by  a ftone  cut  out  with- 
out hands  ; afterwards  the  ftone  becomes  a mountain, 
and  fills  the  whole  earth  : but  this  is  not  until  the  great 
image  is  fo  completely  demoliftied  as  to  be  made  “ like 
the  chaff  of  the  fummer  threfhing  floors.” 

The  great  image  remains,  after  the  ftone  appears. 
Accordingly  it  is  a remarkable  facf,  that  the  Romaa 
empire,  which  was  fymbolized  by  the  legs  and  the 
feet  and  toes  of  the  image,  and  was  in  being  when  the 
Meffiah  afcended  to  his  throne,  has  continued  in  being 
down  to  the  prefent  time.  It  has  indeed  undergone 
many  changes  ; has  paffed  from  hand  to  hand ; has  been 
removed  as  to  the  feat  of  its  power,  from  place  to  place  ; 
and,  agreeably  to  the  prophecy,  has,  at  different  times, 
been  divided  into  feveral  kingdoms.  Yet  it  has  been 
the  fame  empire  ftill ; and,  as  if  by  a fpecial  providence, 
and  for  the  exprefs  purpofe  of  fhewing  the  fulfilment 

B 


10 


of  the  prophecy,  its  name  has  been  continued. — Though 
its  feat  was  removed  from  Rome  to  Conftantinople, 
it  was  neverthelcfs  called  the  Roman  Empire.  When, 
after  various  revolutions,  its  feat  was  fixed  in  Germa- 
ny, and  its  body  was  divided  into  feveral  kingdoms, 
it  was  ftill,  and  with  a fort  of  venerable  fuperftition, 
recognized  by  the  name  of  the  “ Holy  Roman  Em- 
pire.” And  at  this  very  day,  not  only  is  the  name 
preferved,  but  the  iron  crown  and  far  famed  infignia  of 
the  ancient  Roman  power,  are  the  pride  and  the  boaft 
of  that  formidable  empire  which  holds  the  world  in 
terror. 

In  this  regard,  the  fulfilment  hitherto  of  the  coinci- 
dent prediction,  in  the  feventh  chapter,  is  not  lefs  re- 
markable. The  laft  of  the  four  great  beafts,  “ dread- 
ful, and  terrible,  and  ftrong  exceedingly,”  was  to  con- 
tinue, until  the  “ Ancient  of  days”  fhould  appear  with 
awful  judgment,  “ the  thrones  be  call  down,”  and 
“ the  faints  poflefs  the  kingdom.”  Accordingly  that 
beaft  has  continued.  Though,  as  predicted  by  John 
in  the  Revelation,  it  was  at  one  period  ‘wounded  io 
deaths  its  deadly  •wound  has  been  healed  ; its  “ little  horn” 
alfo,  the  fymbol  of  the  papal  power,  has  appeared,  with 
all  its  formidable  charafleriftics  : and,  in  our  own 
age,  it  ftill  appears  the  fame  beaft,  •with  his  great  iron 
teeth  and  his  ten  horns  ^ dreadful^  and  terrible^  and  Jlrong 
exceedingly,  devouring,  breaking  in  pieces,  and Jlamping  the 
refidue  •with  his  feet. 

During  the  continuance  of  the  image,  “ the  ftone  < 

cut  out  without  hands”  appears,  in  the  prophetic  vi- 
Ilon,  comparatively  fmall.  The  laft  great  beaft  alfo, 
during  his  whole  exiftence,  and  under  his  various  forms, 
is  reprefented  “ as  fpcaking  great  words  againft  the 
Moft  High,  wearing  out  the  faints  of  the  Moft  High, 
and  thinking  to  change  times  and  laws.”  According- 
ly the  kingdom  of  Chrift  on  earth  has  always  hitherto 
been  of  very  limited  extent  j and,  from  age  to  age,  it 


11 


has  been  oppofed,  countcradled,  and  violently  aflailed, 
by  the  Roman  power  in  its  fucceflive  forms,  pagan, 
papal,  and  infidel.  It  is  now  eighteen  hundred  years, 
fince  the  God  of  heaven  began  to  fet  up  this  kingdom  ; 
and  though,  from  time  to  time,  its  limits  have  been 
extended,  and  its  numbers  increafed  ; yet  even  n»w  it 
comprifes  but  a fmall  part  of  mankind,  and  is  in  a (late 
of  depreflion  and  fti  uggle. — But  we  are, 

2.  To  confider  the  dejlined  extent  of  this  kingdom. 

Thou  fawejUfays  Daniel,  until  a Jlone  was  cut  out  with- 
out hands,  which  /mote  the  image  upon  his  feet  of  iron  and 
clay,  and  brake  them  to  pieces  ; then  was  the  iron,  the  clay, 
the  brafs,  the  ftl-ver,  and  the  gold,  broken  in  pieces  to- 
gether, and  became  like  the  chaff  of  the  fummer  threfhing 
floors  ; and  the  wind  carried  them  away,  that  no  place  was 
found  for  them  ; and  the  stone  that  smote  the  im- 
age BECAME  A GREAT  MOUNTAIN,  AND  FILLED  THE 
WHOLE  EARTH. 

The  materials  of  the  whole  image  are  reprefented  as 
remaining,  till  the  lafl;  period  even  of  the  feet  and  toes. 

So  in  the  feventh  chapter,  though  the  three  firll  beads 
had  “ their  dominion  taken  away  ; yet  their  lives  (it  is 
faid)  were  prolonged  for  a feafon  and  a time.”  The  Ro- 
man empire  has,  at  fome  periods,  comprifed  within  its 
limits  all,  or  nearly  all,  the  countries,  which  had  been 
comprehended  in  eithe'r  of  the  three  preceding  empires  ; 
and  fo,  under  the  reign  of  the  legs  and  feet,  the  brafs, 
the  filver  and  the  gold,  the  materials  of  the  other  parts 
of  the  image,  have  remained. — But  the  whole  image  is 
to  be  demoliflied.  The  fione  cut  out  without  hands  is  to 
fall  upon  it  and  grind  it  to  powder. 

The  order  marked  in  the  prophecy  deferves  to  be 
diftincHy  noted.  The  ftone  fmites  the  image  upon  the 
feet  of  iron  and  clay,  and  breaks  them  in  pieces  ; then 
are  “ the  iron,  the  clay,  the  brafs,  the  filver  and  the 
gold,^’  all  the  materials  of  the  image,  “ broken  to  piec- 
es together,”  “ made  as  the  chaff,”  and  “ carried  away 


12 


by  the  wind  then  “ the  ftone  becomes  a mountain, 
and  fills  the  whole  earth.”  When  the  time  fliall  come 
for  the  utter  demolition  of  the  image,  the  ftone  will 
firft  finite  its  feet,  where  its  power  now,  and  laftly,  re- 
fides  ; and  the  iron  and  clay  being  broken  in  pieces,  the 
other  materials  will  quickly  be  demolilhed.  And  this 
demolition  of  the  Roman  empire  is  to  make  way  for 
the  eftablifliment  of  the  Mefliah’s  kingdom  in  all  the 
world. 

“ I beheld,”  fays  Daniel  in  the  feventh  chapter,  “ I 
beheld  even  till  the  beaft  was  flain,  and  his  body  deftroy- 
ed,  and  given  to  the  burning  flame.”  And,  fays  the  ^ 

interpreting  angel,  “ the  judgment  fliall  fit,  and  they 
lhall  take  away  his  dominion,  to  confume  and  to  deftroy 
it  unto  the  end.”  “ And”  then  “ the  kingdom  and  domi- 
nion, and  the  greatnefs  of  the  kingdom  under  the  •whole  hea- 
ven, Jhall  be  given  to  the  people  of  the  faints  of  the  Mq/l 
High,  whofe  kingdom  is  an  everlafting  kingdom,  and  all  do- 
minions fhall  ferve  and  obey  him." 

Of  this  deftined  extent  of  the  Mefliah’s  kingdom,  the 
fcriptures  abound  with  predictions.  “ All  the  ends  of 
the  world  fliall  remember  and  turn  unto  the  Lord ; 
and  all  the  kindreds  of  the  nations  fliall  worlhip  before 
thee.” — “ All  nations  whom  thou  haft  made  lhall  come 
and  worlhip  before  thee,  O Lord,  and  lhall  glorify  thy 
name.” — “ The  earth  fliall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of 
the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  fea.” — “ From  the 
riling  of  the  fun  even  to  the  going  down  of  the  fame,  my 
name  fliall  be  great  among  the  Gentiles  ; and  in  every  \ 

place  incenfe  fliall  be  offered  unto  my  name,  and  a pure 
offering  : for  my  name  fliall  be  great  among  the  Hea- 
then,, faith  the  Lord  of  liofts.”*  Let  us  then, 

3.  Contemplate  the  7iieans  of  extending  this  kingdom. 

“ My  kingdom,”  fays  Chrift,  “ is  not  of  this  world.” 

It  is  a kingdom  neither  eftablilhed  upon  worldly  princi- 
ples ; nor  defigned  for  the  attainment  of  worldly  ob- 

* I’f.  xxii.  27. — Ixxxvi.  9.  Ifa.  xi.  9.  Mai.  i.  il. 


jefts  ; nor  to  be  promoted  by  worldly  policy  or  power. 
It  is  a kingdom  ere<fled  in  the  hearts,  and  over  the  con- 
fciences  of  men ; compofed  only  of  voluntary,  willing 
fubjccls  ; and  to  be  advanced  and  extended,  only  by 
means  of'  the  truth,  accompanied  by  the  1‘pirit  of  God. 
^he  Jhne  was  cut  out  without  hands. 

It  appears  indeed,  from  what  has  before  been  confi- 
dered,  that,  for  the  purpofc  of  giving  to  this  kingdom 
its  deftined  extent,  earthly  powers  are  to  be  overthrown, 
and  the  great  and  terrible  empire  in  particular  is  to  be 
broken  to  pieces.  Chritt  is  often  reprefented  as  a migh- 
ty conqueror  ; and  the  powers  of  the  world,  hoftile  to 
his  reign,  are  warned  that  he  “ will  fpeak  to  them  in 
his  wrath,  and  vex  them  in  his  fore  dilpleafure  that 
he  “ will  rule  them  with  a rod  of  iron,  and  daflr  them  in 
pieces  like  a potter’s  veflel.”  This  work  of  vengeance 
he  will  accomplifh,  and  for  the  accomplilhment  of  it 
he  will  ufe  fuch  inftruments  and  means,  as  are  fuited  to 
the  purpofe.  But  this  work  will  not  extend  his  king- 
dom ; it  ■will  prepare  the  way  for  extending  it  : it 
will  remove  obftrudiions  ; it  will  demonftrate  the  truth 
of  the  divine  word  ; it  will  fhew  the  exalted  Meffiah’s 
power  ; it  will  imprefs  the  world  with  awe.  But  for 
the  aftual  advancement  of  his  kingdom,  other,  and  ve- 
ry different  means  muft  be  employed. 

For  the  fetting  up  of  this  kingdom,  this  commiffion 
tv^as  given  : “ Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and 

PREACH  THE  GOSPEL  TO  EVERY  CREATURE.”  The 

minifters  of  the  Melliah  accordingly  went  forth  : and 
“ the  weapons  of  their  warfare,  though  not  carnal, 
were  mighty  through  God,  to  the  pulling  down  of 
ftrong  holds.”  In  fpite  of  the  inveterate  prejudices  of 
the  Jews,  the  proud  philofophy  of  the  Greeks,  the  vi- 
olent oppofition  of  the  ruling  powers,  and  the  fottifh 
fuperftition  or  profligate  wickednefs,  every  where,  of 
the  people  ; the  power  of  the  gofpel  prevailed,  “ caft- 
ing  down  imaginations,  and  every  high  thing,  which 


14 


exalted  itfelf  againft  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  bring- 
ing into  captivity  every  thought  to  the  obedience  of 
Chrift.”  Thoufands  and  millions,  in  different  lands, 
were  “turned  from  Satan  unto  God  and  “ tranfla- 
ted  from  the  power  of  darknefs,  into  the  kingdom  of 
his  dear  Son.” 

Whenever,  fince,  or  wherever  this  kingdom  has  been 
extended,  or  advanced,  it  has  been  by  the  fame  means. 
Miracles  indeed  ccafed,  after  fufficient  atteftations  of 
this  kind  had  been  given  : but  the  influences  of  the  di- 
vine Spirit  have  continued  to  accompany  the  divine 
word  ; and  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  has  been  maintain- 
ed from  age  to  age,  and  occafionally  enlarged,  only  by 
the  means  comprifed  in  the  difpenfation  of  the  gofpel. 
And  it  is  by  the  fame  means  that  it  is  to  be  maintain- 
ed, and  enlarged,  until  it  be  eftablifhed  in  all  the 
earth. — It  is  flill  “ the  commandment  of  the  everlaft- 
ing  God,  that  the  gofpel  fhould  be  made  known  unto 
all  nations,  for  the  obedience  of  faith.”  “ For  how 
ftiall  they  believe  in  him  of  whom  they  have  not 
heard  ? and  how  fhall  they  hear  without  a preacher  ? 
and  how  fhall  they  preach  except  they  be  fent  ?”  Ac- 
cording to  the  predictions,  therefore,  of  the  latter  day 
glory,  “ the  Lord  will  give  the  word,  and  great  will 
be  the  company  of  them  that  publifli  it  “ many 
fhall  run  to  and  fro,  and  knowledge  fhall  be  incrcaf- 
ed  — “ the  gofpel  flialL  be  preached  unto  all  that  dwell 
on  the  earth  ; and,  “ from  the  leaft  of  them  unto  the 
greateft  of  them,  all  fhall  know  the  Lord.” 

4.  The  duration  of  this  kingdom  is  to  be  confider- 
cd. — It  is  a kingdom  wJyicb  Jhall  never  be  dcjlroyed  ; it 
fhall  not  be  left  to  other  people  ; it  Jloall  Jiand  forever.  Such 
is  the  fure  word  of  prophecy  in  our  text. 

John,  in  the  xixth  of  the  Revelation,  fays,  “ I faw  hea- 
ven opened,  and,  behold,  a white  horfe ; and  he  that 
fat  upon  him  was  called  Faithful  and  True ; and  in 
righteoufnefs  he  doth  judge  and  make  war.  His  eyes 


15 


were  as  a flame  of  fire,  and  on  his  head  were  many 
crowns. — And  the  armies  which  were  in  heaven  fol- 
lowed him  upon  white  horfes,  clothed  in  fine  linen, 
white  and  clean.  And  out  of  his  mouth  goeth  a fharp 
fword,  that  with  it  he  fliould  fmite  the  nations  : and 
he  fhall  rule  them  with  a rod  of  iron  : and  he  treadeth 
the  wine  prefs  of  the  fiercenefs  and  wrath  of  Almighty 
God.  And  he  hath  on  his  vefturc,  and  on  his  thigh, 
a name  written.  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords. 
And  I faw  an  angel  ftanding  in  the  fun  ; and  he  cried 
with  a loud  voice,  faying  to  all  the  fowls  that  fly  in  the 
‘ midfl;  of  heaven.  Come  and  gather  yourfelves  together 

unto  the  fupper  of  the  great  God ; that  ye  may  eat 
the  flefli  of  kings,  and  the  flefli  of  captains,  and  the  flefli 
of  mighty  men,  and  the  flefli  of  horfes,  and  of  them 
that  fit  on  them,  and  the  flefli  of  all,  both  free  and  bond, 
both  fmall  and  great.  And  I faw  the  beaft,  and  the 
kings  of  the  earth,  and  their  armies,  gathered  together, 
to  make  war  againft  him  that  fat  on  the  horle,  and 
againft  his  army.  And  the  beaft  was  taken,  and  with 
him  the  falfc  prophet  that  wrought  miracles  before 
him,  with  which  he  deceived  them  that  had  receiv- 
ed the  mark  of  the  beaft,  and  them  that  worftiipped  his 
image.  Thefe  both  were  caft  alive  into  a lake  of  fire 
burning  with  brimftone.  And  the  remnant  were  flain 
with  the  fword  of  him  that  fat  upon  the  horfe  ; — and 
all  the  fowls  were  filled  with  their  flefli.”  The  beaft 
thus  taken,  and  caft  into  the  lake,  is  the  fame  with  the 
\ fourth  beaft  of  Daniel,  “ great  and  terrible,  whofe  body 
’jjas  feen  to  he  dejiroyed  and  given  to  the  burning  Jiame.** 
It  is  the  fame  great  power  which  is  fymbolized,  in  our 
context,  by  the  legs  and  feet  of  the  image.  And  this 
whole  ftupendous  vifion  of  John  is  a view  of  that 
“ battle  of  the  great  day  of  God  Almighty,”  in  which 
the  exalted  Mefliah  goes  forth,  in  terrible  majefty,  to 
execute  judgment,  and  which  is  to  terminate  in  the  ut- 
ter fubverfion  and  ruin  of  the  powers  combined  againft 
his  kingdom. 


16 


After  this,  according  to  another  vifion  of  the  fame 
awful  fcene,  proclamation  is  made  from  heaven.  The 
kingdoms  of  this  world  are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord, 
and  of  his  Chriji  ; and  he  shall  reign  forever  and 
EVER.  In  connexion  with  thefe  predidions,  indeed, 
mention  is  made  of  a thoufand  years,  during  which 
Satan  is  to  be  bound,  that  he  may  not  deceive  the  na- 
tions. And  it  appears,  that,  during  a thoufand  years, 
after  the  final  overthrow  of  the  hofiile  powers,  the  do- 
minion of  Chrifi:  on  earth  is  to  be  fo  complete,  that, 
as  Daniel  expreffes  it,  “ all  people,  nations  and  lan- 
guages fliall  ferve  him.” — But  his  reign  is  not  limited 
to  this  period  ; it  is  not  limited  to  the  duration  of  this 
earth.  After  the  vifions,  already  cited,  and  another  of 
the  general  and  final  judgment,  John  had  a vifion  of 
“ a new  heaven  and  a new  earth  ; for  the  firft  heaven 
and  the  firft  earth  were  pafl'ed  away.”  This  was  a vi- 
fion of  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  in  its  confummated  ftate ; 
and  in  this  ftate,  its  duration  is  to  be  endlefs.  “ Of  his 
kingdom,”  faid  Gabriel  to  Mary,  “ Of  his  kingdom 
there  lhall  be  no  end.” 

5.  Thc^/«?ry  of  this  kingdom  is  a fubjeft  for  moft  de- 
lightful contemplation. — It  is  a kingdom  of  light— of 
holinefs — of  peace — and  of  joy. 

It  is  a kingdom  of  light.  In  confequence  of  the  fall, 
“ darknefs  covers  the  earth,  and  grofs  darkneft  the  peo- 
ple.” Of  God — of  the  things  of  their  higheft  concern- 
ment as  accountable  and  immortal  beings,  mankind 
are  in  deplorable  ignorance.  Chrift  is  the  light. 
He  is  the  “ Sun  of  Right eoufnefs,  to  give  light  to  them 
that  fit  in  darknefs,  and  in  the  lhadow  ot  death,  and 
to  guide  our  feet  into  the  way  of  peace.”  In  thofc 
parts  of  the  world,  upon  which  he  has  arifen,  his  illu- 
minating power  has  been  manifeft,  and  all  who  rightly 
receive  the  knowledge  of  him,  are  “ children  of  the 
day,”  and  “ walk  in  the  light  of  lite.”  Wherever  his 
name  is  made  known,  darknefs  is  diflipated  j as  his 


17 


kingdom  advances,  light  will  fpread  and  increafc  ; and 
when  it  lhall  be  univerl’ally  eftablilhed,  “ the  earth  fliall 
be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  as 
the  waters  cover  the  fea.” 

It  is  a kingdom  of  hoUnefs.  As  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
ness, Chrill  not  only  enlightens  the  minds,  but  puri- 
fies the  hearts  of  men  ; — not  only  Ihews  them  the  way 
of  truth  and  peace,  but  makes  them  alive  to  virtue 
and  to  glory.  As  his  light  prevails,  error,  infidelity, 
and  ungodlincfs,  will  yield  to  its  influence;  popery,  ina- 
hometanifm,  paganifm,  with  their  hideous  fuperftiti- 
tions  and  corruptions,  will  vanifli  away  ; and  the  earth 
will  be  purged  from  the  mingled  and  peftilent  pollu- 
tions with  which,  for  ages  after  ages,  it  has  been  im- 
bued and  covered.  Among  all  nations,  “ God,  who 
is  holy,  fliall  be  fiinclified  in  righteoufnefs ; in  every 
place  incenfe  fliall  be  offered  unto  his  name,  and  a 
pure  offering ; — the  people  fliall  be  all  righteous,  and 
the  very  bells  of  the  horfes  fliall  be  Holiness  to  the 
Lord.” 

It  is  a kingdom  of  peace.  Prince  of  peace  is  a name 
of  the  Mefliah  ; and  under  his  reign,  “ the  mountains 
fliall  bring  peace  to  the  people,  and  the  little  hills  by 
righteoufnefs.”  “ He  will  make  wars  to  ceafe  unto 
the  ends  of  the  earth ; nations  fliall  beat  their  fwords 
into  plowfliares,  and  their  fpears  into  pruning  hooks  ; 
— and  they  fhall  fit  every  man  under  his  vine,  and  un- 
der his  fig  tree,  and  none  fliall  make  them  afraid.” — 
“ The  wolf  alfo  fliall  take  up  his  abode  with  the  lamb, 
and  the  leopard  fliall  lie  down  with  the  kid  ; and  the 
calf  and  the  young  lion  and  the  fatling  fliall  come  to- 
gether ; and  a little  child  fliall  lead  them. — And  the 
fuckling  fliall  play  upon  the  hole  of  the  afpic,  and  up- 
on the  den  of  the  bafiliflc  fliall  the  newly  weaned 
child  lay  his  hand. — They  fliall  not  hurt,  nor  de- 
ftroy.”*  The  felfifli  and  ferocious  paffions,  which  for 


* Ifa.  xi.  Lowth’s  Verfion. 
G 


IS 


fo  many  ages  have  filled  the  earth  with  violence  and 
blood,  fhall  give  place  to  univerfal  good  will,  kindnefs, 
and  love  : and  “ the  rig;hteous  fliall  flourifli  and  abun- 
dance  of  peace,  fo  long  as  the  moon  endureth.” 

It  is  a kingdom  of  joy.  Under  the  univerfal  influ- 
ence of  the  Sun  of  Righteoufnefs  and  Prince  of  Peace, 
what  can  there  be  but  univerfal  happinefs  ! “ He  fliall 
come  dowm  like  rain  upon  the  mown  grafs  ; as  fliow- 
ers  that  water  the  earth  ; all  nations  lhall  call  him  blef- 
fed ; all  people  fliall  obtain  joy  and  gladnefs,  and  for- 
row  and  mourning  fliall  flee  away.” 

“ Oh  feenes  furpaffinp  fable,  and  yet  true  I 
“ Scenes  of  accomplilhed  blifs  ! which  who  can  fee, 

“ Though  but  in  diftant  profptiS,  and  not  feel 
His  foul  refreflied  with  foretafte  of  the  joy  ? 

“ Rivers  of  gladnefs  water  al'  the  earth, 

“ And  clothe  all  climes  with  beauty.”*-— 

This  is  but  a faint  view  of  the  glory  of  the  Mefliah’s 
kingdom,  as  it  fliall  ere  long  appear  even  on  this  earth. 
Who  then  can  deferibe  the  glory  with  which  it  fliall  ap- 
pear, in  the  new  earth,  and  the  new  heaven  ? There  its 
light,  its  holinefs,  its  happinefs,  wall  immeafurably  tran- 
feend  the  higheft  conception,  which  man  or  angel  can 
now  form,  and  will  be  perpetually  increafing  to  all 
eternity.  “ Of  the  increafe  of  his  government  and 
peace,  there  fliall  be  no  end.” 

My  brethren,  “ the  teftimony  of  Jefus  is  the  fpirit 
of  prophecy.”  The  predictions  which  open  to  us  thefc 
views  of  his  kingdom,  are  among  the  plaineft  of  the 
prophetic  oracles.  We  have  gone  into  no  doubtful 
particulars  ; and  in  regard  to  the  general  outline,  there 
can  be  no  reafonable  difagreement  among  the  ferious 
believers  in  revelation.  “ Thefe  fayings  are  faithful 
^nd  true  ; and  the  Lord  God  of  the  holy  prophets  fent 
his  angel,  to  fliew  unto  his  fervants  the  things  which 
mull  Ihortly  be  done.  And  he  that  tcftificth  thefc 


* COWPSR, 


19 


things,  faith,  Surely  I come  quickly  and  let  every 
heart  refpond,  “ Even  fo,  come,  Lord  Jefus.” 

The  FIRST  REFLECTION,  whicli  ofFers  itfelf  from  our 
fubject,  is  that  this  world  belongs  to  Chrift. — He  is  the 
Creator  of  it,  and  he  made  it  for  himfelf : — He  has  re- 
deemed it  with  his  own  blood,  and  for  his  own  pur- 
pofes.  As  he  became  the  Son  of  man  for  the  propitia- 
tion of  the  fins  of  the  world  ; fo,  as  the  Son  of  man, 
he  is  exalted  at  the  right  liand  of  Majefty  in  the  hea- 
vens, Lord  of  lords,  and  King  of  kings.  From  the 
Eternal  Father,  the  proclamation  has  gone  forth, 
“ Why  do  the  heathen  rage,  and  the  people  imagine  a 
vain  thing  ? — I have  fet  my  King  upon  my  holy  hill  of 
Zion. — He  fliall  have  the  heathen  for  his  inheritance, 
and  the  uttermoft  parts  of  the  earth  for  his  pofleflion. 
He  fiiall  break  them  with  a rod  of  iron  ; he  fhall  dalh 
them  in  pieces  like  a potter’s  veffel.  Be  wife  now, 
therefore,  O ye  kings ; be  inftrudted,  ye  judges  of  the 
earth.  Serve  the  Lord  with  fear,  and  rejoice  with 
trembling.  Kifs  the  Son,  left  he  be  angry,  and  ye  pe- 
rifli  from  the  way  when  his  wrath  is  kindled  but  a lit- 
tle. Bleffed  are  all  they  that  put  their  truft  in  him.”* 

Jefus  Chrift,  then,  is  the  rightful  Sovee.eign. 
The  earth  with  its  fulnefs  is  his  ; the  filver  and  the 
gold  are  his  ; kingdoms  and  empires,  with  their  trea- 
fures, their  people,  and  their  rulers,  are  his.  The  nations 
indeed  have  been  in  rebellion  againft  him,  and  are  ftill 
in  rebellion  ; but  he  will  aflert  his  right,  and  make 
them  know  that  “ he  is  Lord  of  all.” 

2.  By  the  figns  of  the  times,  we  are  warned,  that 
Chrift  is  now  advancing  in  glorious  majefty,  to  take  the 
full  pofleflion  of  his  kingdom.  It  is  a time,  by  univerfal 
acknowledgment,  fuch  as  never  was  known  before, 
“ fince  man  was  upon  the  earth.” — “ Diftrefs  of  nations 


* Pf.  ii. 


20 


with  perplexity ! — the  fea  and  the  waves  roaring ! — 
men’s  hearts  failing  them  for  fear,  and  for  looking  af- 
ter thofe  things  which  are  coming  on  the  earth  !” — A 
battle  raging,  of  tremendous  extent,  and  of  portentous 
afped ! — thrones  and  kingdoms  paffing  away  ! — “ the 
foundations  of  the  world  out  of  courfe !” — the  earth 
and  the  heavens  fliaking  ! — All  people  are  ftruck  with 
aftoni£hment  ; but  how  few,  alas ! rightly  confider 
and  underhand  ! 

This  amazing  feene  of  things,  my  brethren,  is  in 
perfect  agreement  with  the  fure  word  of  prophecy. 
The  myftic  period  of  “ a thoufand  two  hundred  and 
fixty  days”  is  hailing  to  its  clofe.  The  power  of  em- 
pire is  now  in  the  feet  and  toes  of  the  great  image. 
As  yet  indeed  the  power  is  terrible  ; and  is  employed 
by  the  advancing  King  of  kings,  as  the  rod  of  his  an- 
ger, for  the  punilliment  of  the  nations  which  have  flain 
his  fervants,  and  call  off  their  allegiance  to  Him.  But 
the  battle  will  continue  ; “ to  the  end  of  the  war  defo- 
lations  are  determined  and  ere  long,  the  decifivc 
blow  will  fall  on  the  feet  of  the  itnage,  and  the  iron  and 
clay,  the  brafs,  the  filver  and  the  gold,  will  be  broken  to 
pieces  together,  and  made  as  the  chaff  of  the  fummer  threfh- 
ing  floors. 

Nor  are  thefe  the  only  indications  of  the  glorious 
Sovereign’s  advance.  His  “ angel  is  now  Hying  in 
the  midll  of  heaven,  having  the  evcrlalling  gofpel  to 
preach  to  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth,  to  every  na- 
tion, and  kindred,  and  longue,  and  people  ; and  pro- 
claiming with  a loud  voice,  “ Fear  God,  and  give  glory 
to  him  ; for  the  hour  of  his  judgment  is  come turn  from 
your  vanities,  “ and  worlliip  him  who  made  heaven 
and  earth,  and  the  fea,  and  the  fountains  of  waters.” 
His  fervants  are  roufed  to  unexampled  exertion.  His 
enfign  is  lifted  up  ; his  word  is  palling  into  all  langua- 
ges ; his  heralds  are  going  forth  into  all  lands  ; prepa- 
rations are  in  forwardnefs  for  his  name  to  be  publilh- 
cd  to  all  people  as  their  Saviour  and  their  God. 


21 


Tliefe  figns,  my  brethren,  arc  not  to  be  difregarded. 
Though,  according  to  the  prophetic  word,  “ the  wick- 
ed do  wickedly,  and  none  of  the  wicked  underftand” — 
yet  the  wife  lhall  underftand.” — It  is  now  too  late  in 
the  day  for  the  feoffer’s  taunting  queftion.  Where  is 
ihepromifeof  bis  coming!  for  all  things  do  not  continue 
as  they  were  from  the  beginning.  At  this  very  time,  his 
prediclions  are  far  advanced  in  fulfilment  ; his  tokens 
glitter  in  the  view  of  all  nations,  and  all  men  arc  warn- 
ed, that  “ he  will  make  a lliort  work  in  the  earth.’* 

3.  Wherever  the  gofpel  is  known,  all  people  arc  now 
fpecially  called  on  to  acknowledge  Chrift,  as  their  Sa- 
viour and  Kino:,  and  to  affill  in  extending  his  kinnr- 

O'  O O 

dom. 

To  you,  my  hearers,  the  glad  tidings  of  this  king- 
dom are  publiflied.  To  you  the  proclamation  is  made, 
that  “ He  who  was  crucified  without  the  gate  of  Jerufa- 
lem,  is  exalted  at  the  right  hand  of  power,  a Prince 
and  a Saviour,  to  give  repentance  and  remilTion  of  fins  ; 
and  that  unto  him  every  knee  fliould  bow,  and  every 
tongue  confefs.”  To  you  his  overtures  of  amnefty 
are  tendered  ; to  you  the  call  is  addrelTed  to  accept 
his  grace,  to  bow  to  his  feeptre,  to  acknowledge  your 
perfons  with  all  that  you  have  to  be  his,  and  to  Ihcw 
yourfelves  the  willing,  the  happy  fubjeefs  of  his  advanc- 
ing and  cverlafting  kingdom.  This  call  no  one  of  you 
can  difregard,  or  difobey,  without  incurring  the  guilt 
of  obftinate  rebellion,  and  the  peril  of  pcrilliing  from 
the  way  under  his  kindled  wrath. — The  fame  is  the 
cafe  with  all  people,  wherever  his  gofpel  is  publiflied. 
“ And  blefl'ed  are  they  who  hear,  obediently,  the  joy- 
ful found.”  “ They  fliall  fee  the  good  of  his  chofen** 
— they  fliall  “ rejoice  in  the  gladncfs  of  his  nation” — 
they  fliall  “ glory  with  his  inheritance”  forever. — 
With  thofe  who  refufe,  it  will  be  far  otherwife.  To 
them  the  mighty  Saviour,  and  Sovereign,  fays,  “ Be- 
hold, my  people  fliall  rejoice,  but  ye  fliall  be  afliamed  j 


22 


behold,  my  fervants  jQiall  fing  for  joy  of^heart,  but  ye 
lliall  cry  for  forrow  of  heart,  and  fhall  howl  for  vex- 
ation of  fpirit ; and  ye  fliall  leave  your  name  for  a 
curfe  unto  my  chofen.” 

But,  my  brethren,  it  is  not  enough  that  you  fubmit 
as  the  willing  fubjecls  of  our  glorious  King  ; you  muft 
aflift  in  extending  his  kingdom.  For  what  purpofe,  in- 
deed, do  you  give  yourfelves  and  all  that  you  have  to 
him  ; but  to  be  employed  in  his  fervice,  that  you  may 
fliare  in  the  glory  of  his  triumphs,  and  fit  down  with 
him  on  his  throne? — Do  you  afk  how  you  fhall  affift? — 

The  anfwer  is  ready. — The  great  work  is  before  you — * 

of  gi'vin^  his  word  to  all  people  in  their  own  languages y 
and fendhtg  faithful  men  according  to  his  appointment y to 
preach  it  to  every  creature  under  heaven.  And  every  one 
in  this  houfe,  every  perfon  in  the  chriftian  world,  has 
an  opportunity  by  fhewing  a friendly  countenance  to 
the  work,  by  praying  for  its  fuccefs,  and  by  contribu- 
ting as  ability  is  given  for  its  fupport  and  furtherance,  , 
to  do  fomething  for  the  honour  of  Chrifl  and  for  his  I 

poflefllon  of  his  kingdom. 

* But  fome  do  not  approve  of  this  defign  — And  "were 
there  not  fome,  and  jof  thofe  too  w'ho  “ made  their 
boaft  in  God,”  who  did  not  approve  of  the  firft  publi- 
cation of  the  gofpcl  ? In  what  age  indeed,  in  what 
part  of  the  world,  have  the  friends  of  Chrift  ever  en- 
gaged in  a defign  for  the  advancement  of  his  kingdom, 
which  was  not  regarded  with  coldnefs  by  fome,  with 
jealoufy  by  others — which  was  not  difcountenanced 
with  derifion  by  fome,  with  frowns  by  others — which 
was  not  oppofed  with  infidious  artifice  by  fome,  with 
open  violence  by  others  ? — ‘ But  it  is  not  ncceffary  to  propa- 
gate the  gofpel  among  the  heathen  ; they  will  do  very  well  with- 
out it  /’ — For  what  purpofe  then,  did  Chrift  give  his 
blood — and  command  that  his  gofpel  fliould  be  preach- 
ed to  all  people  ? — ‘ It  is  a vain  attempt — the  heathen  will 
not  change  their  religion  /’ — It  is  the  word,  however,  of 
eternal  truth,  that  all  the  ends  of  the  world  Jhall  turn 


23 


unto  the  Lord,  and  all  the  kindreds  of  the  nations  Jhall 
worfldp  before  him.  Whom  lhall  we  believe  ? Is  the 
arm  of  the  Lord  fhortened  ? — is  his  Spirit  ftraitcncd  ? 
— ‘ But  the  Myjtonaries  ivill  be  fent  back.^ — That  is  yet 
to  be  known.  But  what  if  they  are  ? What  if  fomc 
men  in  another  part  of  the  world,  of  a fimilar  fpirit 
with  thofe  here  who  hope  it  will  be  fo,  ftiould  under- 
take to  obftrucl  the  miflion  t Is  a large  and  populous 
part  of  the  world,  for  fuch  a rcafon,  to  be  blotted  from 
the  map  of  ChrilTs  dominions  ? Or,  if  he  permit  one 
attempt  for  evangelizing  a nation  to  fail ; are  his  peo- 
ple, whofe  faith  and  pcrfeverance  he  would  thus  try, 
pufiUanimoully  to  relinquifli  the  defign  ? Is  it  fo,  my 
brethren,  that  we  have  learned  Chrift  ? Then  let  us 
never  more  mention  his  name  ! 

‘ But,  if  permitted  to  Jiay,  they  mujl  encounter  great 
hardjhips  and  perils.'* — And  pray  how  was  it  with  the 
Apoftles  themfelves,  the  firft  Miffionaries  of  the  Crofs  ? 
Were  they  not  treated  as  the  “ filth  of  the  world — the 
offscouring  of  all  things  ?”  Did  not  bonds  and  imprifon- 
ments  await  them  in  every  place  ? Were  they  not  in 
perils  continually,  and  in  deaths  oft  ? And  did  not 
their  gracious  Lord  know  it  would  be  fo,  when  he  fent 
them  forth  ? — ‘ But  they  are  changing  the'ir fentiments* — 
Men,  we  know  are  liable  to  change — are  liable  to  defec- 
tion. “ Neverthelefs  the  foundation  of  God  ftandeth 
fure  nor  will  the  grace  of  God  fail  of  furnifiaing  fia- 
ble  and  faithful  men  for  the  miffionary  fervice. — ‘ The 
expenfe  mufi  be  great — it  will  impoveriflj  the  country.'' — 
My  brethren,  how  many  thoufands  of  dollars  have  been 
fent  from  this  country  to  India  in  one  year  ? More 
than  enough  to  fupport,  for  the  fame  time,  a thoufand 
miffionaries  ! — And  for  what  ? For  articles  more  va- 
luable than  the  fouls  of  men  ? — for  interefts  more  im- 
portant than  thofe  of  Chrift’s  kingdom  ? — Then  indeed 
the  fouls  of  men  are  not  worth  the  coft  of  their  falva- 
tion  ! — The  kingdom  of  Chrift  is  not  worth  the  expenfe 
of  extending  it  !* — ‘ But  the prefent  is  an  unfavourable  time  ; 

* It  is  eftimated  upoa  fure  data,  that  the  expenfe  of  the  ardent 


i 


24 


for  people  arcloftng,  rather  than  gaining  property:— \YtW, 
"then,  let  them  iecure  at  leaft  a fmall  portion  of  what 
they'yet  have,  by  invefting  it  in  that  kingdom  which 
fliall  endure  forever— by  committing  it  to  Him  who 
will  repay  them  with  imperifliable  treafures. 

My  brethren,  thefe  objeftions,  when  weighed  in  the 
balances  of  the  fanctuary,  will  be  found  lighter  than  air. 
Men  may  fay  what  they  pleafe  ; the  profane  may  taunt, 
the  pharifaical  may  decry,  the  wife  may  demur : but 
it  is  all  in  vain.  Chrift  will  advance,  and  take  poffef- 
hon  of  his  kingdom.  “ Every  valley  fliall  be  filled  be- 
fore him,  and  every  mountain  and  hill  fliall  be  made 
low.”  The  faces  of  thofe  who  “ make  a wide  mouth” 
fliall  be  covered  with  confufion  ; the  wifdom  of  the 
wife  fliall  be  turned  into  fooliflinefs ; and  every  op- 
pofing  power  fliall  be  broken  in  pieces.  ^ If  you  decline 
the  pleafure,  the  honour,  the  evcrlafting  reward,  of 
aiding  this  avork ; others  will  be  found  who  will  not : 
and  the  work  will  proceed,  till  the  fliouts  of  falvation 
are  heard  in  every  clime. — But  you  will  not  decline. 
You  will  account  it  your  highett  joy,  that  you  ma^y  af- 
fift  in  bringing  your  Saviour  and  Lord  into  the  poflef- 
fion  of  his  kingdom  ; and  you  will  hail  his  advance 
with  the  grateful  welcome  : 

“ Come  then,  and,  added  to  thy  many  crowns, 

Receive  yet  one — the  crown  of  all  the  earth, 

“ Then  who  alone  art  worthy.” 

AMEN. 


fpirits,  confnmed  in  the  United  States,  is  more  than  thirty 

millions  of  dollars  !— Gut  if  the  people  of  thefe  States  can  afford 
thirty  millions  every  year  for  an  article,  in  main  part,  not  only  ab- 
folutcly  unneceffary,  but  Incalculably  injurious;  can  they  not  af- 
ford a few  thoufands  for  the  purpnfc  of  imparting  the  prefent  con- 
folations  and  the  everlalling  blcffings  of  the  gofpel  to  their  perilhing 
fellow  men  ? Or  might  they  not  fpare  a lew  thoufands  of  the  thirty 
millions  for  this  important  obje«5l  ? Or  will  any 
“ Why  thU  ’wafie  ^—Why  was  mt  this  given  to  the  poor  t (MarK 
liv.  4.  .md  John  xii.  5,  6.)  and  yet  Ihew  no  concern  refpeamg 
the  Ollier  nibll  enormous  and  ruinous  expenfe  ? 


